title: Condom use among high-risk heterosexual women with concurrent sexual partnerships, Houston, Texas, USA.
abstract: Concurrent sexual partnerships allow for enhanced transmission of sexually transmitted infections (STIs). Condom use dynamics in this context may be an important factor for transmission of HIV. We conducted a cross-sectional study to describe the frequency of concurrency among high-risk heterosexual women in Houston, Texas and determine the factors associated with condom use. A total of 553 participants were recruited using respondent-driven sampling and completed an anonymous questionnaire; 256 (49%) were identified as having a concurrent partnership. The prevalence of condom use at last sexual encounter was 26%. Women were significantly more likely to use condoms if their sexual encounter was with a casual partner and if alcohol and/or drugs were not used. The high prevalence of concurrent partnerships suggests the presence of a dense sexual network which may enable the rapid spread of STIs and HIV. The risk of transmission may be additionally increased due to the low prevalence of condom use.
authors.affiliation: Division of Epidemiology and Disease Control, University of Texas School of Public Health, Houston, TX 77030, USA. jane.e.richards@uth.tmc.edu
authors.forename: J E
authors.initials: JE
authors.lastname: Richards
authors.forename: J M
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Risser
authors.forename: P M
authors.initials: PM
authors.lastname: Padgett
authors.forename: H U
authors.initials: HU
authors.lastname: Rehman
authors.forename: M L
authors.initials: ML
authors.lastname: Wolverton
authors.forename: R R
authors.initials: RR
authors.lastname: Arafat
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001741:Black or African American; D017280:Condoms / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000635:transmission; D015438:Health Behavior / Q000208:ethnology; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D020010:Heterosexuality / Q000208:ethnology / Q000523:psychology* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D006801:Humans; D016015:Logistic Models; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011203:Poverty; D012307:Risk Factors; D012309:Risk-Taking; D012747:Sexual Partners / Q000523:psychology*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D013781:Texas; D014505:Urban Population; D055815:Young Adult